Suspected jihadist arrested in Gatineau on unrelated charges

RCMP confiscated Ismael Habib's passport over fears he was heading to a terrorist training camp, the Montreal man's lawyer said following Habib's arrest in Gatineau on unrelated charges. (Canadian Press)

The lawyer of a Montreal man charged with uttering threats said RCMP have confiscated his client's passport because they were concerned he was about to leave the country to train with jihadists.

Ismael Habib was arrested in Gatineau and charged with uttering threats, harassment, being in possession of a false driver's license and making fake ID.

The 28-year-old is not charged with any terrorism related offenses.

"I learned that his passport was taken by the RCMP in order for him not to leave the country because we have heard that he was planning to leave the country to join the jihadists," said Jacques Belley, Habib's lawyer.

According to Belley, the RCMP did not believe Habib was planning to carry out a terrorist attack here in Canada.

Planned to travel to training camp

​Habib was arrested after a Gatineau woman complained to police he had threatened her.

Belley told Radio-Canada that after Habib's arrest, the woman looked through his tablet and discovered he had been in contact with another woman in Turkey, and was planning to travel to a training camp.